Belleza is taking part in the next round of The Arcade (which runs from June 1st – 31st!), and will be featuring a beautiful set of gacha skins.  The set will include 15 skins, 3 of which are rare.  I am modeling the beautiful Rare #1 in this photograph, and I cannot get over the immense amount of beautiful freckles.  I am obsessed with freckles, and when I saw this skin, I was instantly entranced by it.  I am certain in the next few weeks I will be blogging more skins from this set, as the whole set is absolutely gorgeous and features a wide variety of options to suit anyone’s tastes.

As always, I am very excited about this round of The Arcade.  It’s always a quality event, filled with endless talent on the grid, and it’s a fun way to get the community active and involved, trading, swapping, and discussing all their great finds at the event!

Just a few more days till you can go broke like me!

Credits:

Skin: Belleza | Tricky Boucher – Ellie – Rare #1 (available at The Arcade on June 1st – June 31st)

Eyes: IKON | Ikon Innovia – Destiny Eyes – Clarity

Hair: TRUTH | Truth Hawks – Cheyenne – Marmalade

Top: Baiastice | Sissy Pessoa – Kasia Top – White

Pose: Marukin | Valencia Southard

Mirrors by Justin Timberlake

 Aren’t you somethin’ to admire?
Cause your shine is somethin’ like a mirror
And I can’t help but notice
You reflect in this heart of mine
If you ever feel alone and
The glare makes me hard to find
Just know that I’m always
Parallel on the other side

Cause with your hand in my hand and a pocket full of soul
I can tell you there’s no place we couldn’t go
Just put your hand on the glass
I’ll be tryin’ to pull you through
You just gotta be strong

‘Cause I don’t wanna lose you now
I’m lookin’ right at the other half of me
The vacancy that sat in my heart
Is a space that now you hold
Show me how to fight for now
And I’ll tell you, baby, it was easy
Comin’ back here to you once I figured it out
You were right here all along

It’s like you’re my mirror
My mirror staring back at me
I couldn’t get any bigger
With anyone else beside of me
And now it’s clear as this promise
That we’re making
Two reflections into one
Cause it’s like you’re my mirror
My mirror staring back at me, staring back at me

Aren’t you somethin’, an original
Cause it doesn’t seem merely a sample
And I can’t help but stare, cause
I see truth somewhere in your eyes
I can’t ever change without you
You reflect me, I love that about you
And if I could, I
Would look at us all the time

Cause with your hand in my hand and a pocket full of soul
I can tell you there’s no place we couldn’t go
Just put your hand on the glass
I’ll be tryin’ to pull you through
You just gotta be strong

‘Cause I don’t wanna lose you now
I’m lookin’ right at the other half of me
The vacancy that sat in my heart
Is a space that now you hold
Show me how to fight for now
And I’ll tell you, baby, it was easy
Comin’ back here to you once I figured it out
You were right here all along

It’s like you’re my mirror
My mirror staring back at me
I couldn’t get any bigger
With anyone else beside of me
And now it’s clear as this promise
That we’re making
Two reflections into one
Cause it’s like you’re my mirror
My mirror staring back at me, staring back at me

Yesterday is history
Tomorrow’s a mystery
I can see you lookin’ back at me
Keep your eyes on me
Baby, keep your eyes on me

‘Cause I don’t wanna lose you now
I’m lookin’ right at the other half of me
The vacancy that sat in my heart
Is a space that now you hold
Show me how to fight for now (please show me, baby)
I’ll tell you, baby, it was easy
Comin’ back here to you once I figured it out
You were right here all along

It’s like you’re my mirror
My mirror staring back at me
I couldn’t get any bigger
With anyone else beside of me
And now it’s clear as this promise
That we’re making
Two reflections into one
Cause it’s like you’re my mirror
My mirror staring back at me, staring back at me

You are, you are the love of my life.

Now you’re the inspiration for this precious song
And I just wanna see your face light up since you put me on
So now I say goodbye to the old me, so better gone
And I can’t wait wait wait wait wait to get you home
Just to let you know, you are

You are, you are the love of my life.

Girl you’re my reflection, all I see is you
My reflection, in everything I do
You’re my reflection and all I see is you
My reflection, in everything I do

Credits:

Harlow’s Skin: Izzie’s | Izzie Button – Harlow

Ark’s Skin: Belleza | Tricky Boucher – Ashton

Hair: Exile | Kavar Cleanslate – American Woman

Pose: Exposeur | RubyStarlight Writer – I’ll Be Waiting

]]> http://www.harlowheslop.com/archives/3701/feed 2 http://www.harlowheslop.com/archives/3688 http://www.harlowheslop.com/archives/3688#comments Fri, 24 May 2013 01:31:18 +0000 Harlow http://www.harlowheslop.com/?p=3688

I’ve been in need of a push artistically with my own blogging on a personal level.  I thought long and hard on it, and tried to figure out something that I felt would push me to strive to be a better blogger, as well as a better artist.  I tried also think of other things in my life that I feel are important to me, and the first thing I thought of was music.  After thinking on it, I came up with a weekly blogging challenge, that I’m starting, and openly inviting anyone else who would like to join me.  Let me tell you about…

Blog the Beat: A Weekly Musical Challenge.

* Each week I will post one song & the lyrics to the song.  This song can be any music genre, happy, or sad.  I will try hard to pick a variety of songs, new and old.

* I will then make a SINGLE artistic blog image that I feel personally reflects the song through my own eyes.

* Each week I will openly invite others to blog the SAME SONG & lyrics in their own unique way.

* Ask yourself while listening to the song and reviewing the lyrics.  How does the song make you feel?  What specific lyrics do you take from the song and hold close to your heart? What colors, tones, and items do you plan on using to showcase the song in your own beautiful way?

* When you’ve completed that week’s challenge add it to The Blog the Beat Flickr Group for others to enjoy as well.

* Feel free to join in weekly, or on random occasion.  Don’t let this blogger challenge stress you out, but use it as a way to de-stress, and as an opportunity to do something different on your blog occasionally. Express your artistic creative freedom through the art of music.

* Feel free to incorporate fashion, home and garden, or anything else you are in need of blogging in your post.  That way you are still accomplishing your reviewing, but also enjoying yourself artistically!

I have created a “Blog the Beat” category on my blog so that you can find past musical posts with ease!  I will be posting our first challenge soon! I can’t wait to see others join in, and what they come up with for their posts!

Happy blogging. <3

There’s a place that I know where the sycamores grow
And daffodils have their fun
Where the cares of the day seems to slowly fade away
And the glow of the evening sun
Peace when the day is done

If I go there real late, let my mind meditate on everything to be done
If I search deep inside, let my conscience be my guide
Then the answers are sure to come
Don’t have to worry none

When you find a piece of mind
Leave you worries behind
Don’t say that it can’t be done
With a new point of view
Life’s true meaning comes to you
And the freedom you seek is one
Peace is for everyone
Peace is for everyone
Peace is for everyone

“Peace” by Nora Jones

Credits

Skin: Izzie’s | Izzie Button – Harlow – Fair

Hair: TRUTH | Truth Hawks – Noemi (available at The Catnip Carnival)

Hands: SLink | Siddean Munro – Mesh Hands

Top: Decoy | Annette Voight – Olivia Blouse

Shorts: Mon Tissu | Elie Spot – Hanalei Shorts

Pose: Diesel Works | Rogan Diesel

Location: Taiga

I admit it. *raises hands* I’m guilty as charged.  There are definitely some things I guiltily and notoriously do in Second Life that I should probably shamefully admit to. I figure if Miss Berry can admit to at least 5 of her guilty confessions (Come on Berry…we know you’ve got a few more up your sleeve!) , I can admit to some of mine as well.

1. House Addiction Issues:  I seriously have a house addiction problem.  If you follow me on plurk, you’ll notice that on a near weekly basis I ask “Where is this house from?” or “Who made a new house!?”.  I change houses more than I change clothes in Second Life.  It’s a bit of a problem, and I tend to spend way too much money on houses, and home decor.  I’ll get settled perfectly into a new house, and two hours later find a house I like better.

2. Key Necklace Collection:  I have a hoarding issue when it comes to key necklaces in Second Life.  I absolutely love them.  I have a collection of many, and if I find a new one, I feel like it’s necessary to add it to my growing collection.

3. Not over 10k!:  I’m obsessed with keeping my inventory under 10k.  As a blogger, this has become a total nightmare.  I’m also an internal pack rat, and instead of just deleting things I know i’ll NEVER use again I pack it all up in boxes. This drives Luna Jubilee batty, and she always scolds me and tells me to just THROW IT AWAY!  So while my inventory may seem to be small and tidy, it’s honestly just filled with box after box, all packed into one box.  Digital hoarding at it’s finest…but hey, my inventory “says” it’s under 10k! I think I might be cheating a little bit.

4. Notoriously neutral: I hate conflict. Absolutely hate it.  I hate having enemies too.  I like remaining neutral as best I can, and honestly, it’s to the point of being obnoxiously neutral. Sure I have an opinion, and sometimes I’m too opinionated, but for the most part I try hard to see the good in everyone (There are some exceptions to that of course!).  If there was a Second Life avatar that was most like Sweden, and in the neutral zone, it would probably be me.  I can’t tell you how many mutual friends I have that can’t stand one another. I tend to just turn my head and look the other way at times.  My notoriously neutral stance often times puts me in very awkward situations, and I probably have no one to blame but myself! Maybe I just lack the courage to say how I REALLY feel sometimes!

5. Profile Perv:  I perv everyone’s profiles.  If you are standing near me, it’s guaranteed I checked your profile out.  Oh…and if your profile is empty, or filled with endlessly rude comments…I’m totally judging you.  I really will base conversation off of a profile, and if your’s is negative/nasty or continually rude/hostile throughout, I probably won’t make the effort to talk to you.

 6. Not fashionable: I know I blog “fashion” but I honestly do not think I am fashionable. At all.  I can’t compile a complicated outfit filled with all sorts of colors and patterns, and I’m horrible at accessorizing.  I honestly just like taking pretty pictures, and that is why I blog.  I envy bloggers like Caroline Sautereau & Nati Williams (who’s link disappeared and I can’t find her blog at the moment! Oh no! I hope she’s okay!).  They seem to put fashionable ensembles together with ease. Me? Noway! I’m lucky if I can pair up some jeans with an appropriate top!

7. Antisocial: I am way too antisocial.  I own a venue, I am part of a large community on plurk, but I for the life of me cannot seem to be social in Second Life.  I spend nearly all my time on my platform, or hiding out on my private land that nobody has access to.  I really would like to make some new friends and be more social…so seriously…someone start pushing me off my platform or something!

8. F*ck Shoes! I’m going shoe-less!: (If you are a Dane Cook fan you’ll understand my phrasing for the title of this one.) I notoriously go barefoot in SL.  I shop barefoot, I go to events barefoot.  In all honesty…I’m just too lazy to put shoes on most of the time.  I also often times won’t blog my feet, because…. *gasp* I’m barefoot and didn’t feel like putting shoes on…AGAIN.

9. Bad Grammar: I have a horrible habit of not proofreading my blog posts.  I guarantee that you will find countless errors in every single post I make.  I’m sure all you grammar fiends out there stopped reading my blog ages ago! Chalk it down to laziness.  I really just want to play in Photoshop and make pretty pictures. (And I don’t even think they are that pretty most of the time!)

So there you have it…my guilty confessions!

Credits:

Skin: Izzie’s | Izzie Button – Harlow – Fair

Eyes: IKON | Ikon Innovia – Destiny Eyes – Clarity (available at The Boutique)

Hair: Exile | Kavar Cleanslate – Sparkle & Fade – Light Reds

Dress: Rebel Hope | Rebel Hope – Traci Mesh Mini – Charcoal (available at The Boutique)

Pose: !Bang | Trieste Minuet

The Catnip Carnival opened it’s doors today and so far has received a great, and generous response from the community.  This is Avatars for Animals first event, and it’s benefiting River Cities Humane Society for Cats in Louisiana, USA.

We have ten amazing designers participating in the event, and I wanted to at least show a few of the items featured.  You can find this lovely cat inspired necklace from Cae, as well as this cute animal print top from Peqe!  These are only two of the 10 awesome items available so make sure you stop by!

A huge huge huge thank you to all of the designers, bloggers, and consumers showing their support for this event.  I certainly hope it changes the future for many furry friends.

For more information on Avatars for Animals and what we support see my post here. 

Credits:

Skin: Izzie’s | Izzie Button – Harlow – Fair

Eyes: Insufferable Dastard | Audrey Lamede – Essentials – Light Teal Mix

Hair: TRUTH | Truth Hawks – Denee – Ginger 2

Necklace: Cae | Caelan Hancroft – Catnip Necklace (available at The Catnip Carnival)

Top: Peqe | Inex Hax – Crop Top – Zebra Edition – White (available at The Catnip Carnival)

Pose: Marukin | Valencia Southard

Credits:

Skin: Belleza | Tricky Boucher - Ava – TLC 4 (available at The Boutique)

Eyes: Insufferable Dastard | Audrey Lamede – Essentials – Light Teal Mix

Hair: TRUTH | Truth Hawks – Selma – Ginger 02

Outfit: Baiastice | Sissy Pessoa (available at The Boutique)

Earrings: League | Nena Janus – Vintage Heart

Pose: Diesel Works | Rogan Diesel

Location: Frog’s Garden

Have you ever dreamed of being a model?  I know I sure have, and I’ve always envied all the beautiful models that grace so many places throughout the Second Life community.  I’ve never considered myself high fashion, or a model in any way, shape, or form.  I’ve always liked to think of my avatar as “the girl next door” type.  Simple, innocent (ha. yeah right!), freckle faced, etc… Nothing too fancy or frilly.  Me a model? No way!

That being said…when I heard about the Truth Model Search I just knew I couldn’t resist!  I’ve always been a loyal fan of Truth Hair, and have enjoyed blogging it ever since the beginning of my blogging days (Hey! No laughing!).  Not only is Truth Hair some of the best hair on the grid, but its creator is one of the kindest, and sweetest people in the community.  I’m sure it’s hard to remain humble with so much success here, but Mr. Hawks manages to do it with ease.

The rules for the contest are pretty simple.  I’ll copy and paste directly from the flickr page:

* Must be wearing hair from the new Truth Hair store. Hair should be purchased on or after 13 May 2013. 

* Minimum 2048 x 2048 pixels in size.

* Focus of the photo should be on the hair. Waist upwards is encouraged. 

* Be artistic! processing is allowed. Be sure to turn on your anti-aliasing etc, high quality pictures are needed. 

* Currently I only stock female hair (sorry guys ). 

* Entries must be submitted to the Flickr group www.flickr.com/groups/truthmodels. Any entries submitted to me personally will be disregarded. 

I certainly encourage EVERYONE to take part in this!  I can’t wait to browse through and see everyone’s entries.

Happy modeling everyone!

Credits:

Skin: Izzie’s | Izzie Button – Harlow – Fair

Eyes: Insufferable Dastard | Audrey Lamede – Soulful v2 – Gray

Hair: TRUTH | Truth Hawks – Lotus – Ginger 2

Dress: Zaara | Zaara Kohime – Chaitra Chiffon Dress – Ivory

Pose: Marukin | Valencia Southard

I sometimes think that spring is my favorite season because of home and garden items alone! So many amazing creations come out when the temperatures warm up. Collabor88 has had a lot of beautiful home and garden items this round.  I had a ton of fun decorating and creating this little garden scene.  I hope you all stop by and pick up all the goodies Collabor88 has to offer.  I also have a few great items in this post that you can find at mainstore locations as well

As for fashion, I thought this vibrant dress from Mon Tissu went perfectly in this outdoor scene.

Happy shopping everyone!

Credits:

Grass: Zigana | Nalena Fairey – Daisy Love

Garden Shed/Accessories: Pilot | Kaz Nayar – Garden Shed Set (available at Collabor88)

Lemonade Stand: What Next | Winter Thorn – Garden Cafe Lemonade Table

Artwork: Commoner | Emery Milneaux – Scrabble Wall Art (available at Collabor88)

Boots: DECO | GutterBlood Spoonhammer – Mesh Trench Boots (available at Collabor88)

Cans: Floorplan | Tegan Serin – Dairy Milk Cans (available at Collabor88)

Hanging Planter: Trompe Loeil | Cory Edo – Hanging Tri Planter (available at Collabor88)

Step Stool: Floorplan | Tegan Serin – Step Stool Seat

On Me:

Skin: Izzie’s | Izzie Button – Harlow – Fair

Eyes: Insufferable Dastard | Audrey Lamede – Soulful v2 – Gray

Hands: SLink | Siddean Munro – Mesh Hands

Hair: TRUTH | Truth Hawks - Cheyenne

Dress: Mon Tissu | Elie Spot – Rokoray Dress – Watercolor

Shoes: Gos Boutique | Gospel Voom – Ursula Wedges

So the lovely Magenta DeVinna had a great idea to post our “basics” or every day items that we can’t live without in Second Life.  I loved the idea, and I’m a basics kind of girl, so I figured I’d play along!

Shape:  My shape is “Me”.  It’s a shape I’ve custom tailored over many years to suit my every need here in SL.  I finally got to a point where I was happy with it, and it’s been the same for quite a long time now.  I can’t really imagine ever changing to a different shape. (Ha…let’s look back on this post in a few years though eh?)

Skin: I typically change skins once every handful of months.  I’m not someone who changes skins on a daily basis. I find a skin and I stick with it for many months.  A while back the talented Izzie Button, of the store Izzie’s, IMed me and dropped me a new release of her’s that she named Harlow.  I was as giddy as a kid with candy, and to this day I’ve had a hard time finding a skin that suits me better than my “Harlow” skin.  I will switch skins out for blog posts, but you’ll notice I use this one currently more than any other skin.

Eyes: My absolute favorite eye maker is Insufferable Dastard. I very rarely change from this brand.  Just like my skins, I tend to stick with a pair of eyes for many months, but when Insufferable Dastard releases new eyes I’m the first to scamper over and snatch them up.  I think they are absolutely stunning.

Brows: I dunno what it is about Glam Affair‘s brow bases, but regardless of the skin i’m wearing I almost always wear Glam Affair brows.  The ones I’m currently hooked on are the Leah brow shapes.

Hair: I can’t pinpoint a specific hair maker that I wear more than the other, but I can tell you that I am nearly always a ginger.  I love being a redhead in Second Life.  I can’t imagine Harlow being anything else.  As for current favorite styles, I’m really hooked on American Woman by Exile which you can see above.  It suits my avatar perfectly.

Hands: SLink hands.  They are amazing. I wear them daily. Need I say more?

Feet: They aren’t pictured, but I wear my Gos Boutique mesh feet constantly.  With the skin matching technology he mastered, it makes it easy to match my mesh feet to any skin I’m currently wearing.

Lingerie: I know it’s not something I wear daily, but I wanted to mention it.  This lingerie set from DeeTalez has been a timeless favorite for a long time.  I dunno what it is about this set, but I wear it under quite a bit, or just by itself.  It’s a set i’ll never be able to get rid of from my inventory, even with all of the beautiful mesh lingerie hitting the market.

So there you have it! My basics!